FOX CITIES, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – State officials are sounding the alarm about an increase in overdose deaths that have been connected to fentanyl.
It comes after two people were recently found dead and another two unresponsive at a hotel in Grand Chute.
“Fentanyl is being laced in a bunch of different drugs,” said Dylan Davis, Grand Chute community resource officer. “Whether it be heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine. It’s also being added to prescription counterfeit pills.”
According to one of the victims, the men bought and then used the drugs. The criminal complaint says the next thing one of the men remembered was waking up in the hospital.
“We have a lot of hotels here within our community, so that sometimes brings people from out of our area to our area and, unfortunately, sometimes, those people are utilizing illegal drugs,” said Davis.
“I would absolutely agree that fentanyl is certainly becoming more prevalent in the area,” said Jeremiah Winscher, project director of the Lake Winnebago Area Metropolitan Enforcement Group.
LWAM is a group to help maintain a drug-free environment. It has seized about 30 to 35% more fentanyl so far this year compared to all of last year.
“It’s a lethal drug,” said Winscher. “It does similar things to the body as other opiates like heroine, but it’s lethal in much smaller doses.”
Mark Westphal, Medical Director for Gold Cross, says they get overdose calls on a weekly basis. They’ve also seen a 25% increase in overdoses in the last two years.
“Make sure you do call 911,” said Westphal. “People get focused on trying to help the person, which is wonderful, but it’s important to call 911 early.”
Narcan is not effective in drugs other than the opioid class. It’s also not effective at all if the heart has already stopped.
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